Scaffold



June 9, 1936.

R. A. UECKER S CAFFOLD Filed June 16, 1934 2 SheetsSheet l U v JNl/ENTUR.

.Z/pker (x/1 ATrRNEY.

QSCAFFOLD Filed June 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y E h ATTORNEY.

. INVENTOR.

* Jew/7. A7. 1/ m g;

Patented June 9, 1936 scan-om muscle .1. Becker, wmvmisiwa. by meme assignments, to Uecker auwatola,

Company, W Wisconsin a'f z pmen Wis a corporation of Application June 16, 1934, Serial No. 730,933

18 Claims. (Ci. 304-2) This invention relates to scaffolds and more particularly to a scaffold of the type used in the erection, repairing and painting of buildings.

An object of the present invention is to provide a scaffold which may be erected in a mini-,

mum amount of time and with a minimum amount of labor.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the hazard from fire and breakage which is constantly present in the ordinary wood scaffold.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rigid scaffold which may be built to any height.

A further object is to provide a scaffold in which the danger of collapsing from joints loosening is reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to produce a scaffold which may be readily transported or stored.

A further object is to provide a scaffold that can be erected readily and taken down by unskilled labor.

Another object is to provide a scaflfold upon which planking may be placed at convenient elevations.

Other objects will be apparent upon considering the following specification.

The invention contemplates providing a unit for a built up scafl'old, including a pair of integral end frames joined together by a pair of braces, which are connected to each other intermediate the frames, and maintain the frames in spaced relationship.

The invention further contemplates providing the scaffold with an interchangeable footing which will adapt the scaffold for use either as a stationary structure or as a rolling structure.

The invention also contemplates providing an end frame which may be inverted and which has permanent integral members including a pair of vertical posts connected by a pair of horizontal supporting braces which are adapted to receive and support scaffold planking at a plurality of levels on the frame.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification, with the specific structure claimed as new recited in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a scaffold embodying the invention with the scaffold planking in place.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a scaffold em- I bodying the invention.

end frame, showing the connection between the end frame and the longitudinal bracing.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the connection between superimposed end frames.

Fig. 6 is a transverse cross section through a horizontal supporting brace showing a strap to secure a wood retaining strip.

Fig. 7 is a detail, in perspective, of an alternate footing for use in a rolling scaffold.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the scaffold unit comprises a pair of rigid end frames, generally designated Hi, connected by an X or scissors bracing II.

The end frames it have a pair of vertical posts I2, made of tubular material connected by a pair of horizontal supporting braces i3 and I4 which may be either tubular as shown or other shape suitable to withstand the loads imposed by the scaffold planking and men working thereon. The braces I 3 and M are reinforced by diagonal braces i5, which cooperate with the braces l3 and II to form a light rigid end frame. The braces I5 preferably intersect both the braces l3 and I4 intermediate the ends thereof to assist the latter in carrying the load of the men at work.

The parts of the end frame are connected integrally, preferably by welding, or other suitable means so as to form a strong light frame which can readily be handled and erected by one man.

The supporting braces I 3 and M are adapted to support scaffold planking [6 (Fig. 1) In order to insure safety, the planks must be firmly secured to the scaflold. This is accomplished by securing a wood retaining strip i! on the upper side of the supporting braces l3 and I4, by means of straps i8 which may be secured to the braces i3 and H either by welding as shown in Fig. 6, or by providing a removable clamp on the strap.

The upper brace I3 is attached to the posts adjacent the upper ends thereof while the lower brace I4 is connected below the center of the uprights. Since the end frames are reversible, end for end, this positioning of the braces permits the scaffold planking to be supported at different elevations on both the upper and lower braces l3 and H by inverting the frame.

The lower ends of the posts I2 are provided with footings is, two forms of which are shown in Figs. 3 and 7. v

Fig. 3 shows a stationary footing including a bearing 20, and an interiorly threaded sleeve II bearing and arrow theiscaifoid to be 'moved at will in any direction.

The braces H are made of two compression resisting members such aschannels 26 and 21 back to back, two tubular members, or other structural shapes. The channels 26 and 21 are connected by a pivot 28 which permits the braces ll when not in use, to be folded scissors fashion for convenience of transportation.

The ends of the braces 26 and 21 are connected to the posts 12 by means of bolts 29 which pass through the posts l2 and have wing nuts 30, on the ends of the bolts for retaining the braces.

The channels 26 and21 have the legs cut ofl, as shown (Fig. 2), adjacent the ends to enable the wing nuts to be more readily applied. Where tubular members are used for the braces H the ends are flattened out to form the connection with the posts I2.

The scafiold is built up to any height by superimposing end sections Ilia, Illb, I00, etc., successively upon the section it], as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and connecting them with appropriate bracings ll.

The connection between the superposed end sections In, Illa, lllb, etc., is formed by plugs 3|, shown in Fig. 5. The plugs 3| have tapered ends 32 adapted to guide the tubular end of the posts into alinement. A collar 33 holds the plug in position between the superposed posts l2.

For heights greater than twenty five feet, the scaffold should be tied into the building at intervals.

The scaffold may be built any desired length, as shown in Fig.1. In utilizing a long scaffold the longitudinal braces II may be used staggered in a manner shown in Fig. 1 or may be used between each pair of end frames such as shown in Fig. 2, the staggered arrangement disclosed in Fig. 1 being preferred for economy. a

It will be understood that the invention is subject to various changes and modifications, and it is not, therefore, desired to limit it to the precise form herein shown and described, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A self supporting scaffold of the character described comprising, a pair of spaced integral end frames, a pair of X braces including members connected together adjacent the centers thereof, said braces joining the sides of one frame with the corresponding sides of the other frame to maintain the frames in spaced relationship, and a plurality of supporting braces on each of said end frames adapted to support scaffold planking at a plurality of elevations on the scaffold.

2. An end frame for a built up scaffold comprising, a pair of spaced uprights, a pair of spaced supporting braces connecting said uprights and integrally joined thereto, one of. said braces being adjacent the upper end of said uprights and the other spaced from the lower end of the uprights wherebythe frames may be inverted to operating with said supporting braces and said uprights to form a rigid frame.

3. In a scaffold of the character described an end frame comprising a pair of spaced tubular posts, a plurality of braces connecting said posts 5 to form a rigid frame, an interiorly threaded sleeve in the lower end of each of said posts, means to retain the sleeves in the posts, and feet having threaded-shanks engageable with the threaded sleeves to give an adjustable footing for the 10 scaffold.

4'. A scaffold of the character described comprising, a first pair of integral end frames, X

braces pivoted adjacent the center thereof and connecting said frames to maintain the frames 15 in spaced relationship, a second pair of integral end frames superimposed upon said first pair, braces connecting said second pair of end frames to each other to maintain said second pair in spaced relationship and means to connect the 20 top of the lower pair to the bottom of the upper pair to maintain the frames of the-upper pair in alinement with those of the lower pair.

5. A scaffold of the character described comprising, a. first pair of integral end. frames, 9. 25 brace joining said end frames to maintain the frames in spaced relationship, said brace comprising two members connected to each other intermediate said frames, a second pair of integral end frames superimposed on said first pair, a 30 brace connecting said second pair of end frames to each other to maintain said second pair in spaced relationship, and means to connect the top of the lower pair of end frames to the bottom of the upper pair of end frames to maintain the frames of the upper pair in alinement with those of the lower pair.

6. A sectional unit for a built up scaffold comprising, a pair of. spaced end frames, each end frame being invertible and having a plurality of 40 horizontal members thereon adapted to support scafiold planking at one set of elevations when in one position and at different elevations on said frame when inverted, and a plurality of braces joining said end frames to maintain the frames in spaced relationship.

'7. A sectional unit for a built up scaffold, said unit comprising, a pair of spaced end frames, each end frame comprising a pair of vertical uprights integrally joined by a pair of horizontal braces adapted to support planking at two elevations on the frame, said frames being invertible to support scaffold planking on said braces at other elevations on the frame; and a brace detachably con- 55 nected to both of said end frames to maintain the frames in spaced relationship, said last named brace including two members connected together intermediate the frames.

8. A scaffold as defined in claim 7 in which 60 the last named brace comprises two members pivoted to each other adjacent the centers thereof.

9. A scaffold of the character described comprising, a first pair of integral end frames; a brace joining said end frames to maintain said frames in spaced relationship; a second pair of end frames each end frame including a pair of cross members adapted to support planking at two elevations on the frames and invertible to support scaffold planking on said cross members at other elevations, said second pair of end frames being superposedpn said first pair; means joining the lower ends of the upper pair with the upper ends of the lower pair; and a brace joining the second pair of end frames to maintain the same in spaced relationship.

10. A scaffold as defined in claim 9 in which the last named brace comprises two members connected together intermediate the end frames.

11. A scaffold as defined in claim 9 in which the last named brace comprises two members pivoted together adjacent the centers thereof.

12. In a sectional scaffold of the type adapted to be increased in height by the addition of sections thereto, a section comprising, a pair of end frames spaced from each other,'each end frame including a horizontal member adapted to support scaffold planking, andv a vertical post integrally joined to each end of said member, said end frames being formed to secure a second section superimposed thereon, a cross brace comprising two members connected adjacent the centers thereof and joining a post of one frame with a post of the other frame, and means connecting the other two posts to maintain the frames in spaced relationship.

13. In a sectional scaffold of the type adapted to be increased in height by the addition of sections thereto, a section comprising, a pair of end frames spaced from each other, each end frame including a horizontal member adapted to support scaffold planking, and a vertical post integrally joined to each end of said member, each of said frames being formed to secure a second frame superimposed thereon, a pair of fastening means formed on each of said posts and a cross brace having two members connected together adjacent the centers thereof and secured to said frames through said fastening means to maintain said frames in spaced relationship.

14. In a sectional scaffold of the type adapted to be increased in height by the addition of sections thereto, a section comprising, a pair of end frames spaced from each other, each frame including a horizontal member adapted to support scaffold planking and a vertical post integrally joined to each end of said member, each of said frames being formed to secure a second frame superimposed thereon, a pair of pins on each of said posts, a cross brace including two members connected together intermediate the frames, said last named members having apertures in the ends thereof engageable over said pins and releasable means to maintain the brace secured on the pins whereby the end frames are held in spaced relationship.

15. In a sectional scaffold of the type adapted to be increased in height by the addition of sections thereto, a section comprising, a pair of. end frames spaced from each other, each end frame including a horizontal member adapted to support scaffold planking and a vertical post integrally joined to each end of said member, each of said frames being formed to secure a second frame superimposed thereon, a pair of pins connected to each of said posts, a collapsible brace comprising a pair of members pivoted to each other adjacent the centers thereof and provided with the holes in the opposite ends engageable over the pins on one post of each frame, and releasable means to maintain the brace secured on the pins whereby the end frames are held in spaced relationship.

. 16. In a sectional scaffold of the type adapted to be increased in height by the addition of sections thereto, each section comprising, a pair of end frames spaced from each other, each end frame including a horizontal member adapted to support scaffold planking and a vertical post integrally joined to each end of said member, each of said frames being formed to secure a second frame superimposed thereon, and a pair of braces detachably connected to the posts of the two end frames to maintain the frames in spaced relationship, each brace comprising a pair of members connected together intermediate the frames.

17. In a sectional scaffold of the type adapted to be increased in height by the addition of sections thereto, a section comprising, a pair of end frames spaced from each other, each end frame including, a horizontal bar adapted to ,support scaffold planking, a vertical tubular post integrally joined to each end of. the horizontal bar, said tubular posts being adapted to receive and support tubular couplings to receive other sections superimposed thereon, and diagonal braces integrally joining said horizontal bar with said posts to form a rigid end frame; and a cross brace joining a post of one said end frame with a post of the other said end frame, said cross brace including, a member connecting the posts, and a second member pivoted to the first member and connected to one of said posts.

18. In a scaffold of the character described, a pair of end frames spaced from each other, each end frame comprising, a horizontal member adapted to support scaffold planking, a vertical tubular post integrally joined to said horizontal member at each end thereof, said posts being adapted to receive and support tubular couplings which receive other sections superimposed thereon, and diagonal bracing between said member 

